Gracar Turn Castle

Hrastje, Slovenia

The Gracar Turn ('Grätzer's Tower') is not recorded in medieval sources, though the historian Valvasor mentions a manor stood on the site in the 14th century, built by the Grätzer family from nearby Gradac, whence its name derives. After passing through numerous hands, it was purchased by Anton Rudež in 1821. The author Janez Trdina was often Rudež's guest at Gracar Turn; several of the former's works were written at the castle, including his best-known, Fables and Tales of the Gorjancers. During World War II part the castle was burned down by partisan fighters. It has since been renovated.

The core of the castle consists of a multi-story residential palacium, surrounded by a rectangular complex anchored by two imposing square towers.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Hrastje 7-8, Hrastje, Slovenia

See all sites in Hrastje

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Slovenia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Otocec Castle (5,4 km)
Pleterje Charterhouse (4,5 km)

Celje Castle (44,9 km)
Marton Museum (32 km)
Olimje Castle (42,5 km)
Zuzemberk Castle (28,5 km)
Celje Cathedral (45,8 km)
Brezice Castle (24,8 km)
Luznica Manor (37,9 km)
Sevnica Castle (21,4 km)
Karlovac City Museum (41 km)

User Reviews

Zrinka N (2 years ago)
It's in a sorry state. It would look amazing if it were renovated. There are signs "private" around the state and on the fence, so you cannot really enter the building. It's nice to see it if you're passing by, but not to make a trip just there.

Marc Worthley (2 years ago)
Abandon ruins. Can't go inside. Can only see remnants of ine .building

O M (3 years ago)
Great for country side abadoned exploring

Suzana Škofic (4 years ago)
It looks very magnificent. It is a real pity that it is decaying and that the interior is not accessible to visitors.

Mateja Jere Mrak (4 years ago)
sadly it is in very bad condition.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.